Timely workforce thoughts and actions that advance Towards Employment’s Policy Action Plan – to expand opportunities for untapped talent by influencing policy shifts that address barriers and promote investment in skills training, job quality and second chance hiring.

As we close out the year, we invite you to pause with us and reflect on the policy landscape ahead.

This edition of our newsletter offers insight into key legislation on the horizon and what it could mean for workers; explores systemic barriers that continue to impede employment advancement; and highlights why access to legal services is a critical component of a workforce development organization like Towards Employment.



As you take time to rest and rejuvenate, we hope these reflections and resources support your thinking and help inform your policy and advocacy priorities for 2026.

1: Training and Nutrition Stability (H.R. 2974 and S. 1789)

The Training & Nutrition Stability Act (TNSA) is a bipartisan, common-sense fix to ensure people can build a better future without sacrificing their basic needs. In 2018, Congress expanded SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) to include paid job training, opening doors for individuals facing barriers to employment. But an unintended consequence followed: income earned during training now counts against SNAP eligibility, often reducing or cutting off food assistance entirely. For many participants, this creates an impossible choice: continue training for long-term stability or keep food on the table today. 

TNSA (H.R. 2974 and S. 1789) solves this problem by excluding SNAP E&T training income from SNAP eligibility calculations, allowing participants to pursue workforce success while maintaining food security. You can help by contacting your members of Congress, urging them to cosponsor the bill, and joining efforts to advocate for its inclusion in the Farm Bill.

2: Ban the Box (S.B. 143)

SB 143 would prohibit employers from asking about a person’s criminal history on a job application so that applicants are first reviewed for their skills and qualifications. It does not preclude the employer from requesting that information once a person is identified as an otherwise qualified candidate to determine if the background is relevant to the position. This simple change would open doors for thousands of justice-impacted Ohioans who are eager to work but face unnecessary barriers before they even have an opportunity to reach an interview and demonstrate their fit for the job. If you’re interested in sharing your story or submitting testimony, TE can help. Email policy@towardsemployment.org to learn more and get connected. 

3: House Bill 29

Passed in January 2025, HB 29 eliminates many debt-related driver’s license suspensions across Ohio, keeping hundreds of thousands of people on the road and at their jobs. But passing the bill is just the beginning. Drive to Justice (DTJ) is leading efforts to ensure that those who lost their licenses for failure to pay fines and fees before the legislation passed, restore their licenses under the retroactive provisions of HB 29 by spreading the word, supporting impacted communities, and pushing for deeper reforms. 

DTJ hosts monthly information sessions every third Wednesday, breaking down the impact of HB 29 and what still needs to be done. They also meet communities where they are: tabling at events, visiting organizations, and providing education on license suspensions and reinstatement. To register for an info session or invite DTJ to your event or workplace, visit DriveToJustice.org. 

What is the Benefits Cliff? 

Imagine earning a small raise, just a dollar over the SNAP income threshold, only to lose hundreds of dollars a month in food assistance. That’s an example of what is known as the Benefits Cliff. 

Millions of people rely on programs like SNAP, housing vouchers, and Medicaid to meet basic needs. But these programs often have steep drop-offs: when someone earns even slightly more, they can lose significant support. The result? A raise can actually make a family worse off financially. 

This system discourages career advancement and forces many people to reduce their hours or turn down raises just to stay afloat. Instead of rewarding progress, the Benefits Cliff punishes families for trying to move forward, creating instability, and a barrier to long-term economic mobility. Because the benefits cliff is not always understood by employers, they can easily confuse an employee's decision to turn down a promotion that would leave them in a worse place financially, with a lack of ambition or interest in moving ahead in their occupation. 

What are some recommendations to fix the Cliff? 

Beyond the Cliff outlines six major policy recommendations to address this issue. Here are a few key strategies: 

1. Fix benefit reduction rates so support phases out gradually, not all at once. 
2. Promote career pathways and workforce engagement that allow individuals to grow without risking their stability. 
3. Adopt a coaching approach and provide benefits counseling so families can plan for the future with confidence. 

You can explore the full list of recommendations and sign up for the Beyond the Cliff newsletter.

Interviews with Towards Employment staff, participants, and graduates about relevant and timely workforce topics.

Behind every job placement is a person navigating complex systems and real-life challenges. In this piece, we speak with Mark Gallagher, Legal Director at Towards Employment, about how legal advocacy, trust-building, and wraparound support help people stay employed and move forward.

Why Policy Matters at Towards Employment

At Towards Employment, policy and advocacy extend the impact of our direct services. By analyzing legislation through the lens of worker experience, advancing systems-level solutions, and integrating legal services into workforce development, we help remove structural barriers that limit career opportunities. Support for this work strengthens our ability to influence policies that affect thousands of workers across Cleveland, Northeast Ohio, and beyond.

Investing in TE’s policy and advocacy work ensures workers’ voices shape the systems, laws, and practices that determine access to quality jobs and long-term economic mobility.

Contributing Authors:

Gabrielle Fortin is the Policy Associate at Towards Employment, working to drive systems change by supporting the organization’s policy agenda through coalition-building, managing testimony efforts, and amplifying the lived experiences of directly impacted people.

Brian Balogh is TE's Policy Fellow, a retired professor, and an award-winning cohost of a public radio show. He interviews TE graduates and staff about interesting workforce topics. Brian combines written text, live words, his research, and community resources and simple stories for workforce friends and supporters to share.

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